Apparatus for dispensing beverages



,1965 w. H. JACOBS ETAL 3,225,965

APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES Original Filed Oct 5,1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I l I I I I I I l I I lewaflfiors: WW II.Jacobs, E'dzzzin Naizwarm, fliffled uiflmiwong, by 0 jwv Mfldbraaey Dec.28, 1965 w. H. JACOBS ETAL 3,225,965

APPARATUS FOR GARBONATING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES Original Filed Oct 5.1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 1965 w. H. JACOBS ETAL 3,225,965

APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES Original Filed Oct 51961 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 28, 1965 w. H. JACOBS EI'AL 3, 2

APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES Original Filed Oct 5.1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I i t 15217822203 0.- WiZZzbuw II. Jacobs flifr edflflamiv'ong, by My, j/wyum H uataawae Dec. 28, 1965 w. H. JACOBS ETAL3,225,965

APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Original Filed Oct 5 1961 Inventors.- Wm H. Jacobs, Edwin Naididl'an,.A'Zffledf/ uivmwong, by AL? j w/wwk uqtinrney 5 w. H. JACOBS EIAL 3,

FOR CARBONATING AND DISPENSING BEVERAGES g ml APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Original Filed Oct 5 1961 5; mas U4,

United States Patent ()fi ice 3,225,955 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 3,225,965APKARATUS FQR DESPENSHNG lEVERAGES William H. .lacobs, Brookline, EdwinNahiirian, Wayland, and Alfred Armstrong, Norwood, Mass, assignors toProduct R 8; D, Incorporated, Waltham, Mass, a corporation ofMassachusetts Original application Oct. 5, 1961, Ser. No. 146,063.Divided and this application Oct. 21, 1964, Ser. No.

15 Claims. or. 222-4291 This is a division of application Ser. No.146,063, filed Oct. 5, 11961, new Patent 3,206,069, dated Sept. 14,1965.

This invention relates to devices and methods for making and dispensingcarbonated beverages, and more particularly to the type of apparatusused in soda fountains, restaurants, and similar establishments whichserve carbonated beverages for immediate consumption.

One typical example of present carbonated beverage dispensers consistsessentially of a discharge nozzle mounted on -a counter or standconnected through piping to a replaceable'storage container tilled withpre-mixed carbonated beverage. The beverage runs through a cold plate orrefrigerating unit as it passes to the nozzle. A pressurized cylinder ofcarbon dioxide is connected to the container but is used not forcarbonating but merely as a source of pressure for discharging thebeverage through the nozzle. These devices are adapted only for coolingand dispensing pre-mixed carbonated beverage purchased from a commercialcarbonating or bottling plant in sealed storage containers of suitablesize.

Some soda fountains and similar establishments have their owncarbonating equipment installed on the premises. These carbonators aresmaller versions of the equipment used by beverage manufacturers andoperate on the same principle, by spraying water into a pressure tank ofcarbon dioxide and withdrawing the carbonated liquid. Such carbonatorsare costly, fairly large and cumbersome, and operate at high pressure,for example 75 to 100 pounds per square inch, so that they fall in theclass of pressure vessel equipment which is subject to special safetyregulations in most localities. A high capacity pump is required forinjecting the water into the carbonating tank or pressure vessel. Forthese reasons it is not feasible to mount such equipment at the point ofsale. The carbonator is usually mounted in the basement or some otherremote location, and connected by piping to dispensing nozzles on theservice counter. The piping may pass through a cold plate orrefrigerating element. Because of the difliculty of cleaning such aninstallation, this type of equipment is used, ordinarily, merely as asource of carbonated water. The beverage is mixed at the point of saleeither in the glass or by means of a mixing nozzle which injects syrupinto the water as it is dispensed into a glass.

Both the common types of carbonated beverage dispenser just describedhave certain limitations. For example, most people prefer carbonatedbeverages served at or near the melting temperature of ice. To achievethis temperature by means of the usual refrigerating element it would benecessary to run the refrigerating coil at a considerably lowertemperature, about F. This is not practicable, because the carbonatedliquid is likely to freeze is the supply pipe. Ice is sometimes added tothe drink in the glass, but this dilutes the beverage. Furthermore,these devices cannot maintain the optimum degree of carbonation forpalatability, which is up to 4 or 5 volumes of carbonation.

An important object of this invention is to provide a combinedcarbonating and dispensing device which is sufficiently compact to bemounted in its entirely at the point of sale, for example on a lunchcounter, which is capable of maintaining and dispensing carbonatedbeverage at the preferred drinking temperature, that is at or evensomewhat below 32", which may be readily dismantled for cleaning andre-assembled by an unskilled attendant, which operates at pressures lowenough for safe use in public locations, which is considerably lessexpensive to manufacture, install, and operate than the equipmentheretofore available and yet produces a beverage of superior carbonationand flavor, and which is adaptable either for carbonating uncarbonatedliquids, or for maintaining and refreshing a beverage supplied incarbonated form.

The new apparatus consists of a pressure vessel or carbonating tankwhich is kept partially filled with mixed beverage, a circulating pumpmounted entirely within the vessel and driven through magnetic couplingby a motor outside the vessel, and means for maintaining a head ofcarbon dioxide in the vessel above the liquid. The tank is refrigerated,for example, by refrigerating coils surrounding its lower part. The pumpcontinuously circulates liquid from the lower part of the tank upthrough a standpipe which discharges the liquid into the head of carbondioxide. The liquid thus discharged becomes carbonated by passagethrough the gas and flows back to the lower part of the tank where itagain enters the pump for re-circulation through the carbon dioxidehead. The tank is provided with a built-in dispensing valve by whichportions of the carbonated and refrigerated beverage may be withdrawn asdesired.

As the entire liquid contents of the tank are continuouslycirculated,'the refrigerating coils may be kept at a low enoughtemperature to chill the beverage to the freezing point of water or evena little below, for example around 30 F. The beverage when discharged isthus at the desired temperature for drinking.

As is well known, the maximum quantity of gas which can be entrained ina liquid varies according to the pressure and inversely with thetemperature of the liquid. If the temperature of the liquid to becarbonated is lowered, the gas pressure required for a certain degree ofcarbonation is correspondingly reduced. Furthermore, by continuouslyre-circulating the liquid through the carbon dioxide head, instead ofpassing the liquid through the gas only once, as is customary inprevious carbonators, the theoretical maximum carbonation for a giventemperature and pressure will be closely approached. For both thesereasons it is possible to obtain with the new apparatus operating atless than 30 pounds per square inch, a degree of carbonation higher thanthat obtained by the previously known common types of carbonators whichoperate at to pounds per square inch.

The carbonating tank is preferably connected to a source of mixedbeverage, from which liquid is supplied from time to time to replenishthe beverage withdrawn from the tank. Preferably the liquid supply iscontrolled by a suitable level control, such as a float-operated valve.

The tank in the specific. example here shown is constructed in twoparts, a lower bowl and an upper dome, connected together by a couplingring which forms a pressure-tight joint. These parts can be readilydismantled by hand to expose the inside of the tank for cleaning. Thepump is also constructed so that it can be readily removed for cleaning.

Other objects, advantages and novel features will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description.

In the drawings illustrating the invention:

FIG. 1 is a vertical crosssection of a carbonating and dispensing deviceconstructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is across-section taken along line 2-2 of FIG 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the device, parts of the casing and domebeing shown cut away, with the liquid and carbon dioxide supply systemshown schematically;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along line 44 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the lower bowl and refrigerating coilassembly;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along line 6-6 ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken in the region ofthe circulating pump;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the lower bowl and its jacket;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail, partly in cross-section, taken in theregion of the upper end of the standpipe and illustrating amodification; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-section illustrating a modified form ofcarbon dioxide distribution system.

The storage and carbonating tank, generally indicated by the numeral2%,- is mounted on a stand, generally indicated by the numeral 21, whichalso houses a refrigerating unit (not shown) which may be of anysuitable construction. The stand has a shelf 21a on which a cup (shownin dotted outline in FIG. 1) or other receptacle may be placed forfilling.

The carbonating and storage tank is designed to operate as a pressurevessel, and consists of a dome 22 preferably made of transparentplastic, and a bowl 23, made of corrosion resistant non-magneticmaterial, such as stainless steel. The dome has an internally threadedlower rim 22a which is engaged by a threaded ring 24 rotatablysurrounding the bowl and held captive by an overhanging lip 25 on thebowl. The dome has an internal groove 2'7 in which a compressible gasket28, of rubber or similar material, is disposed. The gasket engages theupper surface of lip 25 to form a seal, when ring 24 has been turned inthe proper direction to draw dome 22 downward. The ring has four tabs24a projecting beyond the dome to provide hand grips.

The bowl 23 is surrounded by a refrigerating coil 29 having ends 2% and2% extending downward into the stand and connected to a suitablerefrigerating apparatus which circulates refrigerant through the coiland may be thermostatically controlled according to well known practice.

The coil is secured to the bowl by tabs 36. The bowl is surrounded by ajacket 31, preferably made or plastic, and is mounted on the stand bymeans of studs 31* extending through the jacket and secured to the standin any suitable manner. The jacket which preferably contains thermalinsulation (not shown) has a downwardly projecting lip 31a which tendsto cause moisture condensing on the outside to collect and drip oil atthis point. The stand has a cover piece 32 with an upstanding lip 32aforming a trough 33 under lip 31a to catch drippings. The trough extendsaround the rear and sides of the jacket and slopes toward the front sothat the collected moisture will run down to shelf 21a which is providedwith a drip tray 34.

The bowl 23 has a cylindrical well 35 surrounded by a shallowring-shaped depression 36. A circular cap 37, preferably made of moldedplastic, is disposed over the well and has a flat rim portion 37a whichis seated in depression 36. This rim portion carries sloping upstandingprojections 33 which engage under tabs 39 attached to the bowl, to lockthe cap in place. The cap has edge notches 4i), and can be removed byturning to bring the notches into register with tabs 39. A volute-shapedinverted trough 41 is formed in the cap, and the cap has intake ports 42communicating with this trough.

The cap 37 has an upstanding handle portion 37b by which it may begrasped and turned for removal. A metal shaft 43 is fixed in the handleportion, forexample by molding or pressing the shaft into the capmaterial. A circular impeller '44 is rotatably suspended on the shaftand carries pump vanes 45 which are disposed in trough 411. The impelleris preferablymade of molded plastic and has a magnet 46 encased in itslower portion.

The cap has a discharge opening 47 communicating with trough ll,surrounded by a nipple 48 in which a standpipe 49 is mounted, and alsohas an auxiliary discharge port 47a. A second magnet 50 is mountedoutside bowl 23 and jacket 31 directly under well 35 and is rotatablydriven, for example, by an electric motor (not shown) mounted in stand21. Magnets 50 and 46 are so polarized that the form-er drives thelatter by magnetic coupling to rotate impeller 44. Liquid is thus drawnin through ports 42 and pumped through trough 41 up through standpipe 49into the upper part of the tank, and out through port 47a, when the pumpis running.

A liquid supply tube 51 extends through bowl 23 and jacket 31 forsupplying beverage to the tank. A tube 52 for supplying carbon dioxideto the pressure vessel anda pressure relief tube 53 also pass throughthe bowl and jacket. Both tubes 52 and 53 extend up into dome 22 andhave down-turned upper end portions to prevent accidental entrance ofliquid into them.

A float 54 is mounted in bowl 23 for control of the liquid level in amanner to be later described. This float is hollow, air-tight, anddoughnut shaped, and is made of material such as molded plastic. Itslides up and down on a stem 55 fixed in the bowl A ring-shaped magnet5-5 is encased in the float. A mercury switch 57 of well known type,having a pair of contacts mounted on atiltable vessel 58 containing aglobule of mercury, is mounted in the stand 21 immediately below thefloat. Vessel 53 is mounted on a lever 59 tiltable about pivot 66 andtilted bymeans of a link 61 connected to a magnet 62. When the liquidlevel in bowl 23 falls below a certain position, float 54 approaches thebottom of the bowland its magnet 56 attracts magnet 62, tilting vessel58 to close the switch contacts.

A dispenser Valve 63, which may be of any commerically available typesuitable for dispensing carbonated beverages from a tank, is mounted inthe forward part of bowl 23 above shelf 21a.

The system for supplying liquid and carbon dioxide to the carbonatingtank, formed by bowl 23 and dome 22 and their sealing connection, isshown in FIG. 3. The liquid is supplied from a closed storage tank 64connected through a solenoid valve 65, to the fiuid inlet tube 51 by apipe line 66., Compressed carbon dioxide is supplied from a suitablesource, such as a pressurized cylinder 67, connected through a manualshut-off valve 58, a pressure regulating valve 68a, and a'pressurereducing valve 6%, to the carbon dioxide intake tube 52 by a pipe line70. A by-pass line 71 is connected between valve 68a and tank 64.Solenoid valve 65, which is of the type normally closed whendeenergized, is connected by suitable wiring in series with a source ofelectric power 72, which may be AC. and mercury switch 57. The solenoidis thus energized when float 54 drops low enough to cause the contactsof the mercury switch to close, as has been previously described.

The pressure relief tube 53 is connected to a pressure relief valve 73of the type designed to open automatically at a predetermined pressurelevel, and an automatic valve 74, which may be manually operated.

The storage tanks may be placed in any convenient location and thepiping connections brought into the device in any suitable manner. Thedrawing illustrates schematically a typical installation in which thedispensing device is mounted on a counter 75 and the piping connectionsbroughtup through stand 21 from storage tanks mounted below the counter.It is understood that the carbonating device is also equipped withsuitable circuits for operating the motor which drives the magneticallycoupled circulation pump, and the refrigerating unit, in a manner Wellknown in the art.

The operation of the device is as follows:

At the start of operations, when the carbonating tank is empty, float 54is at its lowest position and switch 57 is closed, so that theenergizing circuit to valve 65 is closed and the valve is open. Byopening the manual valve 68, which may be the shut-off valve with whicha cylinder of compressed carbon dioxide is normally equipped, gas underpressure is allowed to flow through regulator 68a into tank 64, creatinga pressure head in that tank and driving liquid up into the carbonatingtank through tube 51. The pressure may be regulated by means of valve63a. Gas simultaneously flows through reducing valve 69 and tube 52 intothe upper part of the carbonating tank. During the initial fillingoperation manual valve 74 is momentarily opened a few times, both torelieve gas pressure in the carbonating tank, thus permitting fasterfilling, and to purge the tank, that is permit the air to escape.

When the liquid level in the carbonating tank reaches a point where thebuoyancy of float 54 is sufiicient to cause it to rise ofi the bottom ofbowl 23, switch 5'7 opens, breaking the circuit to the solenoid valve65, and this valve closes. The float is designed to such proportionsthat the liquid is shut off when the carbonating tank is only partlyfilled, leaving a space above, which is filled with carbon dioxide. Thecirculating pump and refrigerating unit may be started at this time, orearlier, at the start of or during the filling operation.

After the carbonating tank has been filled, as just described, thedevice will operate automatically until it is again shut down forcleaning or replenishment of the liquid and carbon dioxide supply tanks.A head of carbon dioxide is constantly maintained in tank at a pressuredetermined by the gas pressure in tank 67, the adjustment of valve 63a,and the reduction created by valve 69. The liquid is continuouslycirculated by the circulation pump from the lower part of tank 21 upthrough standpipe 49 into the head of carbon dioxide in dome 22. Theliquid is sprayed against the under side of the dome and runs down thesides of the tank all around. carbonation results from entrapment of gasin the liquid passing through the carbon dioxide head. The liquid intank 20 is simultaneously chilled by refrigerating coil 29. Thedischarge of liquid through port 47a sets up a swirling action tomaintain continuous motion of the liquid in the lower part of the tank.

The operating pressure desired varies for different types of drinks, forexample, ginger ale is preferably carbonated at 24 to 28 pounds persquare inch, cola drinks at 20 to pounds, and some fruit drinks atpressures as low as 12 to 16 pounds, but in no case is a pressure higherthan 30 pounds required to produce a palatable carbonated drink withthis device.

The device may be used either for carbonating a noncarbonated beverageor for maintaining and improving carbonation of a beverage which hasbeen previously carbonated by other means. If the beverage is suppliedin carbonated form from tank 64, drinks may be dispensed from tank 20through the dispensing valve 64 as soon as the beverage has been chilledto the desired temperature. When the beverage is supplied innon-carbonated form, it may be necessary to wait a little longer untilthe beverage in tank 20 has been carbonated to the desired degree. Thecontinuous carbonating action of the device will thereafter maintain thecarbonation at the desired level under normal conditions of demand.

When the liquid level in tank 20 falls below a certain level, causingfloat 54 to drop to the bottom of bowl 23, switch 57 is again closed andvalve 65 is opened to admit more liquid. Reducing valve 69 establishes adifferential between the pressure in tank 20 and that in tank 64 whichis directly connected to tank 67, to drive liquid up into tank 20. Thisdiiferential must, of course, be sufiicient to raise the liquid therequired distance and can be calculated by well known formulas,depending on the height of tank 20 above tank 64. For a typicalinstallation where the carbonating and dispensing device is placed on adrug store counter and the supply tank is set on the floor, a pressuredifferential of about 5 pounds per square inch is adequate.

When the liquid level in the carbonating tank again rises to a pointwhere the float 54- moves away from the bottom of the tank, switch 57 isopened and valve 65 is closed. There is a differential between theopening and closing levels for the valve because, when more liquid iscalled for by the closing of switch 57, the level must rise sufiicientlyto overcome, not only the weight of the float, but the force of themutual attraction of magnets 56 and 62. When this level is reached,float 54 breaks away from the bottom and immediately rises a certaindistance, and magnet 62 simultaneously drops further away from thebottom of the tank. The liquid level must again fall a certain distancebefore float 54 approaches the bottom closely enough to operate switch57. This arrangement eliminates chattering or constant on-ofl operationof valve 65 and insures positive operation of the float and switchcontrol on both the opening and closing cycles. Replacement is calledfor only after a substantial amount of beverage, for example enough fora dozen servings, has been withdrawn from tank 20, and valve 65, onceopened, will remain open until an equal quantity of new beverage hasbeen supplied to the tank.

The hemispherical shape of dome 22 and its proximity to the upper end ofstandpipe 49 serve to deflect and distribute the liquid discharged fromthe standpipe substantially equally in all directions toward the sidesof the tank through the head of carbon dioxide and maintain agitationand circulation of the liquid in the region of the refrigerating coils.FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative deflecting arrangement, which may beused, for example, if the upper portion of the carbonating tank weremade higher or of a different shape or if quicker carbonating isdesired. In FIG. 9 the standpipe 80, which corresponds in function tostandpipe 49, has a shoulder a on which a ring 81 is disposed. A shallowfrusto-spherical baffle or umbrella 82 is supported above the upper endof standpipe 8G by means of rods 83 attached to ring 81. The umbrellaserves to deflect the discharged liquid in all directions toward thesides of the tank, and also provides more surface area of liquid exposedto the gas and produces quicker carbonation in any shape tank.

FIG. 10 illustrates a modification of the pump for producing quickercarbonation. The cap 84, which is otherwise similar to cap 37, carries atube 85 which extends up into the carbon dioxide head above the liquidlevel in the tank, and the lower end 85a of the tube into port 47a. Thedischarge of liquid through port 47a creates a pressure drop in theregion of the lower end of tube 85, and, as a result, carbon dioxide isdrawn from the head and discharged into and circulated with the liquid.

When it is necessary to dismantle the apparatus for cleaning, the manualcontrol valve 68 on the carbon dioxide supply cylinder is closed. Thecarbonating tank is then drained through valve 63, and the pressurereleased by opening valve '74 in the pressure relief tube 53. Due to thefriction on the large threaded area between the ring 24 and the dome 22,it is practically impossible to turn either while any pressure remainsin the tank. This safety feature prevents opening of the tank underpressure. Once the pressure has been released, ring 24 can be turnedeasily. To open the tank, ring 24 is manually turned by means of tabs 2441 in a direction to raise dome 22. It will be noted that by turning thering, a vertical separating force is exerted between gasket 28 and lip25. When the tank is in use the gasket tends to flow around and stick tothe lip, and it might be quite difiicult to separate the two initiallyby turning the dome. The seal can be broken quite readily by turningring 24, as this involves no circumferential motion between the gasketand the lip. Once the two have been separated, the dome may be easilyunscrewed from the lower bowl. The standpipe 49 and float 54 can belifted out, and the pump removed,

leaving the entire interior of the lower bowl accessible for cleaning.

As has been previously mentioned, the new carbonating device is capableof chilling the beverage to the freezing temperature of water or even alittle below, because all the beverage which is being refrigerated iscontinuously circulated. The beverage, when discharged, is thus at thedesired drinking temperature and requires no ice. Furthermore, thebeverage will hold its carbonation after it is withdrawn longer than abeverage dispensed at higher temperatures, for example, 35 to 40 R,which is the operating temperature for other types of carbonatedbeverage dispensers. This device also achieves a high degree ofcarbonation at low pressure, both because the beverage is carbonated atlow temperature and because the continuous re-circulation through thecarbon dioxide head produces and maintains the maximum entrainment ofgas for the particular temperature and pressure conditions. For example,this apparatus operating at a pressure of less than 30 pounds per squareinch will produce beverage of a carbon dioxide content of 4 to 5volumes, as cornpared to 3.5 volumes which is the content of carbonatedbeverages made in the usual way.

It has also been found that this apparatus and method of carbonatingproduces beverages of superior flavor and aroma. Many syrupconcentrates, for example those for mixing cola beverages, containaromatic flavorings which are highly volatile and tend to escape intoany empty space in the bottle or container in which the beverage isstored. In this apparatus, any volatile substances which escape into theupper part of the carbonating tank are continually recaptured byentrainment along with the carbon dioxide as the beverage circulatesthrough the pressure head. The beverage thus retains a high content ofaromatics when dispensed. Furthermore, the aromatic substances restoredto the liquid by circulation through the carbon dioxide ,head are mixedwith the gas, which is released in the form of bubbles as the beverageis consumed, thus enhancing the aroma.

Another advantage of this device and method is that the pump is usedmerely to circulate the beverage within the caIbona-ting tank, and asmall pump of very low power requirements will suffice for this purpose.In comparison, carbonators in which water is drawn from a source atatmospheric pressure outside the tank and sprayed into a high pressurecarbon dioxide head in the tank, require expensive and cumbersome pumpswith high power consumption.

It is understood that the new device and method of carbonating is heredescribed in detail by way of illustration, and variations may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus, comprising a closedcarbonating tank, filling means for intermittently introducing water andflavor syrup into said tank, means for maintaining a head of carbondioxide in said tank above the water and flavor syrup, a pressure reliefvalve secured to the tank for venting the tank when the pressure abovethe water and flavor syrup exceeds 30 pounds per square inch, and meansincluding a circulating pump within the tank operative independently ofsaid filling means for circulating the water and flavor syrup in saidtank through said head.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1, having a refrigerating elementdisposed in intimate heat-exchanging relationship with said tank forrefrigerating water and flavor syrup therein.

3. Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus, comprising a closedcarbonating tank, filling means for introducing beverage into said tank,means for maintaining a head of carbon dioxide in said tank above thebeverage, means for withdrawing beverage from said tank, a level controladapted to control said filling means to replenish beverage withdrawn,and means including .a pump disposed in said tank having an inlet belowthe level of the beverage and an outlet above the level of the beverageand operative independently of said filling means and said level controlfor circulating the beverage in said tank through said head.

4. Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus, comprising a closedcarbonating tank having an upper and a lower region, a first closedstorage tank containing carbon dioxide under pressure and a secondclosed storage tank containing beverage, both disposed outside saidcarbonating tank, a first conduit connecting said first storage tank tothe interior of said carbonating tank for maintaining a head of carbondioxide in said upper region, a pressure relief valve connected to thecarbonating tank for venting the tank when the pressure exceeds therange of 30 pounds per square inch, a second conduit connecting saidsecond storage tank to the interior of said carbonating tank, and athird conduit interconnecting said storage tanks, a control valve insaid second conduit, a reducing valve in said first conduit adapted toproduce a pressure differential between said carbonating tank and saidstorage tank, thus causing the flow of beverage into said carbonatingtank from said second storage tank when said control valve is open, arefrigerating system in heat exchange contact with the beverage in thetank for maintaining the temperature of the beverage in the range fromsomewhat below freezing to 35 F., and means including a circulating pumpin said carbonating tank having an inlet in the lower region and anoutlet in the upper region for continuously circulating liquid from saidlower to said upper region.

5. Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus, comprising acarbonating tank including separable upper and lower sections,connecting means including a threaded collar secured to one of thesections and screwed onto the other section to form a substantiallyfluid-tight and pressure-tight joint between them, said means beingmanually disengageable to permit separation of said sections, means foradmitting and withdrawing beverage to and from said tank withoutdisengaging the connecting means, means for introducing and maintaininga head of carbon dioxide in said upper section, and a circulating pumpmounted in said lower section having an inlet in said lower section andhaving an outlet connected to a stand pipe discharging into said uppersection and adapted to circulate beverage in the carbonating tankthrough said head.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 1, further characterized by thecirculating means including a standpipe extending upward toward the topof the tank and connected to the outlet of the pump, and a dome-shapedbaffie overlying said standpipe, and said standpipe having a dischargeport disposed to discharge beverage against said bafiie.

7 Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus, comprising a closedcarbonating tank having a lower and an upper region, means for admittingbeverage to said lower region, means for supplying carbon dioxide tosaid upper region, a circulating pump disposed in said tank having aninlet at the bottom of the tank and an outlet, at standpipe connected tothe outlet and having a discharge in the upper region, whereby saidinlet draws in beverage from said lower region and said discharge of thestand pipe discharges it into said upper region, said pump including adischarge port disposed in said lower region, a conduit leading fromsaid upper region to said pump and having an open enddisposed in saidport to conduct carbon dioxide to said lower region, and means forwithdrawing beverage from said tank.

8. In a beverage dispenser having a bowl containing 0 the beverage, acirculaing pump assembly comprising a circular Well provided in thebottom wall of the bowl with the well having a fiat lower surface,

a cap in the shape of a circular disc seated on the top of the well andhaving a volute-shaped trough provided on its lower surface in the planeof the bottom wall of the bowl, said cap and well defining a pumpchamber,

an intake port in the center of the cap in communication with the centerof the volute-shaped trough,

a shaft extending through the port coaxial with the a circular impellermounted on the shaft and disposed within the center of the trough,

a magnet encased in the lower section of the impeller,

a second magnet disposed beneath the bottom of the well for driving thefirst recited magnet to rotate the impeller,

and an outlet provided in the cap at its periphery at the outer radialend of the volute-shaped trough for discharging liquid drawn through theinlet and pumped from the center of the trough to the outer end withinthe pump chamber.

9. In a beverage dispenser having a bowl for beverages with a generallyflat bottom wall, a circulating pump assembly comprising,

a circular well in the bottom wall of the bowl having a flat lowersurface and a cylindrical side wall,

a circular cap seated in the plane of the bottom wall of the bowl andhaving a flat rim which is seated on the bowl bottom about the edge ofthe well,

an opening through the center of the cap,

a volute-shaped inverted trough provided in the bottom of the cap anddefining a central impeller chamber beneath the opening in the center ofthe cap,

a second opening in the cap at the end of the voluteshaped trough fordischarging beverage from the end of the trough,

and an impeller located in the impeller chamber for drawing beverage inthe bowl through the opening in the center of the cap and driving itthrough the trough and discharging it through the second open- 10. In abeverage dispenser as defined in claim 9,

a magnet within the impeller,

and a second magnet disposed beneath the bottom of the well andmagnetically coupled to the magnet in the impeller for rotating theimpeller.

11. In a beverage dispenser as defined in claim 9,

a collar secured to the upper surface or" the cap and forming acontinuation of the second opening,

and a standpipe secured to the collar for discharging beverage into theupper portion of the bowl received in the collar from the secondopening.

12. In a beverage dispenser as defined in claim 11,

a port provided in the side of the collar for discharging a portion ofthe beverage received in the collar from the second opening to agitatethe beverage in the bowl.

13. Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus, comprising a closedcarbonating tank having a lower and an upper region,

means for admitting beverage to said lower region,

means for supplying carbon dioxide to said upper region,

a circulating pump disposed in said tank having an inlet in the bottomof the tank and an outlet,

a standpipe connected to the outlet and having a discharge in the upperregion, whereby said inlet draws in beverage from said lower region andsaid discharge of the stand pipe discharges it into said upper region,

said pump including a discharge port disposed in said lower region, andmeans independent of the circulating pump for withdrawing beveragedirectly from the tank.

14. Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus,

comprising a closed carbonating tank,

filling means for intermittently introducing water and flavor syrup intosaid tank,

means for maintaining a head of carbon dioxide in said tank above thewater and flavor syrup,

a pressure relief valve secured to the tank for venting the tank whenthe pressure above the liquid exceeds 30 pounds per square inch,

said tank having a portion defining a fiat bottom wall, a circular wellin the bottom wall of the tank having a flat lower surface and acylindrical side wall,

a circular cap seated in the plane of the bottom wall of the bowl andhaving a fiat rim which is seated on the bowl bottom about the edge ofthe well,

an opening through the center of the cap,

a volute shaped inverted trough provided in the bottom of the cap anddefining a central impeller chamber beneath the opening in the center ofthe cap,

a second opening in the cap at the end of the volute shaped trough fordischarging beverage from the end of the trough,

an impeller located in the impeller chamber for drawing beverage in thebowl through the opening in the center of the cap and driving it throughthe trough and discharging it through the second opening,

and a standpipe connected to the second opening and having its dischargeabove the beverage in the tank for circulating the beverage through saidhead.

15. Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 4further characterized by the circulating pump including a circular wellin the bottom of the carbonating tank having a fiat lower surface and acylindrical side wall,

a circular cap seated in the plane of the bottom of the tank and havinga fiat rim which is seated on the bot tom of the tank about the edge ofthe well,

said inlet of the circulating pump being an opening through the centerof the cap,

a volute shaped inverted trough provided in the bottom of the cap anddefining a central impeller chamber beneath the opening in the center ofthe cap,

a second opening in the cap at the end of the volute shaped trough fordischarging beverage from the end of the trough,

an impeller located in the impeller chamber for drawing beverage in thetank through the opening in the center of the cap and driving it throughthe trough and discharging it through the second opening,

and a standpipe having an opening at its upper end defining the outletof the circulating pump, said stand pipe being connected to the secondopening in the cap.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,070,516 8/1913OBrien 220-4 X 2,168,187 8/1939 Auger.

2,300,300 10/1942 Lund 261-26 2,328,110 8/1943 Thompson et al. 222129.1X 2,337,783 12/1943 Thompson et al 62-306 2,462,019 2/ 1949 Bowman222129.4 X 2,611,481 9/1952 Sargeant et al. 220-82 X 2,650,808 9/ 1953Cohen et al 62--306 X 2,657,628 11/1953 Von Stoesser 222129.4 X2,675,145 4/1954 Jacobs 222318 X 2,745,641 5/ 1956 Jacobs.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

9. IN A BEVERAGE DISPENSER HAVING A BOWL FOR BEVERAGES WITH A GENERALLYFLAT BOTTOM WALL, CIRCULATING PUMP ASSEMBLY COMPRISING, A CIRCULAR WELLIN THE BOTTOM WALL OF THE BOWL HAVING A FLAT LOWER SURFACE AND ACYLINDRICAL SIDE WALL, A CIRCULAR CAP SEATED IN THE PLANE OF THE BOTTOMWALL OF THE BOWL AND HAVING A FLAT RIM WHICH IS SEATED ON THE BOWLBOTTOM ABOUT THE EDGE OF THE WELL, AN OPENING THROUGH THE CENTER OF THECAP, A VOLUTE-SHAPED INVERTED TROUGH PROVIDED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CAPAND DEFINING A CENTRAL IMPELLER CHAMBER BENEATH THE OPENING IN THECENTER OF THE CAP, A SECOND OPENING IN THE CAP AT THE END OF THEVOLUTESHAPED TROUGH FOR DISCHARGING BEVERAGE FROM THE END OF THE TROUGH,